Infant head positioning device

ABSTRACT

An infant head positioning device that provides back head support in order to prevent skull deformities, such as positional plagiocephaly, and provides support to the infant&#39;s head in other activities where back head support is needed. Generally, the infant head positioning device comprises: (1) a hat member made of soft, flexible, adjustable materials; and (2) one or more cushioning made of soft, pressure relieving materials placed in various positions in the back and sides of the hat member to redistribute and alleviate the pressure on the back of the infant&#39;s head. The cushioning pads can be placed either in the inside or outside of the hat member. In a preferred embodiment of the infant head positioning device, the top of the hat member has an open, aerated grid design that allows excess heat to dissipate.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to infant head and neck positioning.Specifically, the invention is related to a device to position theinfant's head and neck in such a manner so as to encourage the infant tolie in a supine position to reduce risks of sudden infant death syndrome(SIDS) while at the same time provide gentle support to the back of theinfant's head to minimize risks of skull deformities, such as positionalplagiocephaly (or commonly known as the “flat head” syndrome) andtorticollis. The invention also may be used in other applications and/oractivities where the back of the infant's head requires support.Further, the invention serves as a tool for breastfeeding mothers byfacilitating optimal mouth to nipple alignment for proper latching.

2. Background of the Invention

According to medical studies conducted between 1981 and 1991, there is astrong correlation between infants sleeping in a prone position (i.e.,on their stomachs) and death from sudden infant death syndrome (“SIDS”)or crib death. Infants generally are most vulnerable to risks of SIDSbetween the age of 2 and 4 months. Infants who died from SIDS weregenerally found suffocated—i.e., dead from on their stomach with theirfaces, noses, and mouths covered by soft bedding, such as pillows,quilts, comforters and sheepskins.

In 1992, the American Academy of Pediatricians (“AAP”) issued a numberof recommendations as part of a campaign to reduce the risk of SIDS. TheAAP policy recommendations, which are commonly known as the AAP “Back toSleep” Campaign, are as follows: (1) infants should sleep on their backsto reduce the risks of SIDS; (2) infants should sleep on a firm,tight-fitting mattress, and never on a waterbed, soft mattress, pillowor other soft surface; (3) measures should be taken to prevent theinfant from overheating while sleeping (i.e., the infants should not beoverdressed in excessive clothings); and (4) pillows, quilts,comforters, pillow-like stuffed toys, and other soft products should beremoved from the crib in order to eliminate the risk that the infant'sface and mouth accidentally might be covered by these items while theinfant is asleep.

The AAP “Back to Sleep” campaign has substantially reduced SIDs deaths(by as much as 40 percent according to some studies). However, it alsohas resulted in certain unintended consequences. Specifically, there hasbeen a dramatic increase (by as much as 500 percent) in the number ofbabies with “positional” skull deformities, such as positionalplagiocephaly or commonly referred to as flat heads. For instance, in1974, positional plagiocephaly occurred once in every 300 live birthsamong prone-sleeping infants. Following the “Back to Sleep” program, thefrequency of positional phagiocephaly increased to 1 in 60. Infant skulldeformities generally become severe during the first few weeks of life,as the infant tends to hold his or her head in a fixed position.Further, incidents of torticollis or twisted neck, a condition where theinfant has a tendency to keep his or her head tilted to one side only,also increased significantly. The increases in positional phagiocephalyand torticollis are attributable to the infants sleeping on a firmsurface coupled with the fact that all soft bedding materials areremoved from the crib, as recommended by AAP. The consequence is thatthe infant's head rests on a firm surface, and the weight of the baby'shead pressing down against this firm surface results in pressure beingapplied to the back area of the baby's head, thereby causing that areaof the infant's head to flatten, and the opposite side to appear morepointed. Indeed, the AAP itself has recognized that the increasingincidence of skull deformity, such as the flat head syndrome, is likelyattributable to the Back to Sleep campaign.

In view of the fact that that infants sleeping on their backs haveincreased risks of positional plagiocephaly, it is an object of thepresent invention to provide an infant head positioning device that canbe safely worn on the baby's head that provides back head support toprevent positional phagiocephaly.

It is a further object of the present invention to create an infant headpositioning device that is elegant in its design and construction, yetstylish and aesthetically pleasing and comfortable so that it can beworn on a daily basis and for an extended period of time while the babyis lying down.

It is a further object of the present invention to create an infant headpositioning device that could be worn for an extended period of time andallows proper airflow and breatheability to prevent overheating.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an infanthead positioning device that can be used in various applications andactivities where the infant's head needs to be supported, such asbreastfeeding or diaper changing on hard surfaces such as publicrestroom changing tables, strollers, and car seats.

PRIOR ARTS

There are three basic types of treatments for positional plagiocephaly.First, the infant could be repositioned during sleep so as to alternatethe sleeping positions. Second, “skull-molding” devices could be used toreshape the infant's skull. Third, in rare instances when thedeformities are severe, surgery could be used as the last resort option.

In the prior art, there are devices to treat skull deformities. However,these devices tend to fall into the category of “skull-molding” therapy.The present invention is fully distinguishable from these prior artdevices in several key respects. First, the prior art devices aredesigned to treat skull deformities after the conditions have occurred.In contrast, the present invention is designed to prevent suchconditions from arising in the first place. Second, helmet moldingtherapy is an option for infants between 6 and 18 months of age; infantsunder 6 months are usually not suitable for helmet therapy. The presentinvention is intended to be used by newborn infants from birth to 6months of age to prevent the onset of positional phagiocephaly fromarising in the first instance. After six months, the risks of positionalplagiocephaly are reduced significantly given that the infant's head ismore developed. Third, the prior art devices are generally of a medicalnature, and are made of hard, rigid materials such as plaster mold. Theyare heavy in weight, which makes it uncomfortable for infants to wearfor even a short period of time. In contrast, the present device is asoft, light-weight, attractive, and comfortable device that can be wornfor an extended period of time while the infant is lying down.

The following prior art may be of interest:

U.S. Pat. No. Patentee(s) Issue Date 6,423,019 B1 Papay et al. Jul. 23,2002 6,428,494 B1 Schwenn et al. Aug. 6, 2002 6,939,316 B 2 Skalar etal. Sep. 6, 2005 7,153,284 Argenta Dec. 26, 2006

Papay et al. discloses a headpiece made of rigid, non-deformablematerials and having an outer wall and an inner wall, the inner wallbeing shaped to receive the skull and having at least one recess formedto provide a volume into which the skull may be remodeled or growthdirected. It further comprises a first expandable bladder located on theinterior wall of the headpiece whereby when the helmet placed on theskull and the bladder is expanded, the recess and the expanded bladdercooperate to cause cranial remodeling. Constructing the headpiece of thedevice involves creating a plaster mold of the infant's head.

Schwenn et al. discloses a helmet member for mounting on the patient'shead, the helmet member has a split opening to permit expansion formounting and contraction for securing to the patient's head, an interiorsurface of the helmet is configured to provide the desired shape for thepatient's head by confining certain areas while permitting growth inother areas; and a stop unit positioned in the split opening on thehelmet member to provide a safety limit for the contraction adjustmentagainst the patient's head.

Sklar et al. discloses a molded plastic appliance in the form a shell,headband or helmet made of a unitary plastic molding or shell. Theinterior comprises two or more layers of soft, flexible material inoverlapping nested relation and lining the conformed interior surface ofthe appliance. The device prevents positional plagiocephaly byredirecting the head weight forces over the smooth interior surface ofthe protective shell.

Argenta discloses a cranial passive remodeling orthosis that includes arounded, external protrusion, made of “substantially rigid” material.This protrusion serves to force the infant to turn his head away fromthe depressed portion of the skull.

The prior art also includes devices or apparatuses to prevent positionalplagiocephaly in infants. U.S. Pat. No. 6,052,849, issued to Dixon etal., is an apparatus in which the infant's head is placed such that thehead is supported on a flexible porous support material. The apparatusis a frame and a flexible porous material (such as a net with an openweave) that is fitted over the frame to provide head support. Thisinvention is distinguishable from the present invention. First, itserves as a pillow-in that the infant's head rests in the frame of thisapparatus. In contrast, the present invention contains a hat member thatis directly worn on the infant's head. Second, the Dixon apparatusprovides support to the infant's head through the use of porousmaterials, such as a net with an open weave. In contrast, the presentinvention provides back head support through the use of cushioning padsmade of pressure-relieving materials, such as memory foam.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The infant head positioning device comprises a hat member made of soft,flexible, adjustable materials with positioning pads that are placed invarious positions in the back and sides of the hat member toredistribute the compressive forces imposed by the weight of theinfant's head on the sleeping surface, such as a firm mattress. Thepositioning pads can be arranged in such a manner so as to reduce theability of the baby to roll over on his/her stomach, by keeping the headstraight, thereby promoting the infant to sleep on his back. Further,the positioning pads can be placed inside or outside of the hat member.The positioning pads reduce the pressure to the back of the baby's head,thereby reducing risks of flat heads, which is caused by continuedpressure and weight of the baby's head.

The positioning pads may be made of various types of pressure relievingmaterial, such as memory foam or other soft materials with varyingdegree of density and softness; the positioning pads may be variousshapes and sizes (such as oval, circular, rectangular, or square andvarious thickness). The positioning inserts may include tabs at the endsand/or sides for ease of adjustment or removal of the inserts. Thepositioning inserts may have removal covers to protect the core foammaterials.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates the top view of the infant head positioning devicewith the cushioning pads located within the hat member.

FIG. 2 illustrates an alternative variation of the infant positiondevice with the cushioning pads located outside of the hat member.

FIG. 3 illustrates a device being worn by an infant lying down on a firmsurface and demonstrates the back head support to the infant from thedevice.

FIG. 4 illustrates the infant wearing the head positioning device whileresting in the crib.

FIG. 5 illustrates the infant wearing the head positioning device whilebreast feeding.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The infant head positioning device comprises a hat/cap member made ofsoft, flexible, adjustable materials with positioning pads that areplaced in various positions in the back and sides of the cap member toredistribute the compressive forces imposed by the sleep surface on theback of the infant's head.

FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of the invention. The hat member has anopen, aerated grid-like design that allows excess heat to dissipate,thereby preventing the infant from overheating. The two cushioning padsare inserted in a pocket located in the hat member.

FIG. 2 shows another variation of the intention. The two cushioning padsare located on the outside of the hat member. The two positioning padscan be arranged in such a manner so as to reduce the ability of the babyto roll over on his/her stomach, by keeping the head straight, therebypromoting the infant to sleep on his back. The positioning pads reducethe pressure to the back of the baby's head, thereby reducing risks offlat heads, which is caused by continued pressure and weight of thebaby's head. The positioning pads may be 0.5 inch to 3 inches inthickness and 2 inches to 16 inches in length. Further, the positioningpads could be made of various types of pressure relieving material, suchas memory foam or other soft materials with varying degree of densityand softness; the positioning pads may be various shapes (such as oval,circular, cylindrical, spherical, rectangular, or square). Thepositioning inserts may include tabs at the ends and/or sides for easeof adjustment or removal of the inserts. The positioning inserts mayhave removal covers to protect the core foam materials. The device alsohas a dual securing system combining hook and loop Velcro with an outerband, or hook and loop Velcro in combination with other outerattachments.

FIG. 3 is a “see-through” view of the invention and shows the supportingfunction of the cushioning pads. As is demonstrated in FIG. 3, the backof the infant's head is supported by the cushioning pads while theinfant is lying down.

There are several possible variations of the infant head positioningdevice. One variation includes a hat member that does not have anaerated, grid-like design in order to keep the baby's head warm incolder temperatures.

Another possible variation includes using water resistant fabric andpads for the purposes of supporting the baby's head while the baby isgiven a bath. The cushioning pads assist the care giver by providing aplace where the baby's head and neck can be safely and gently handled.

Other possible variations include but are not limited to (1) placing thecushioning pads toward the sides of the head to keep the neck straightand promote the even development of the neck muscles while baby is lyingflat on back or sitting in a car seat or high chair; (2) placing theinsert pieces in a lateral strip position for lower head and necksupport while baby is lying flat on back; (3) placing the two inserts ina vertical position adjacent to one another for coverage of the back ofthe baby's head, where bald and flat-head areas tend to develop, alsowhile baby is lying flat on back.

Another variation of the device is having the cushioning pads be locatedon the outside of the hat secured by two strips that are attached to theback of the hat. The cushioning pads are inserted into the two strips,which serve to hold the cushioning pads in place.

OTHER USES OR APPLICATIONS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The infant head positioning device can be used in a number of otheractivities where the baby's head needs to be controlled and supported.As discussed further below, some of the other uses of the presentinvention include providing support when the baby is breastfeeding andwhen the baby's diaper is being changed and a soft surface is notavailable. See FIGS. 3, 4, and 5.

With respect to breastfeeding, the present invention facilitates properlatching of the baby's mouth to the mother's nipple for optimalbreastfeeding. The positioning pads can be placed in various positionson the hat member so as to allow the mother to position/control theinfant's head to achieve optimal mouth to nipple contact, as isdemonstrated in FIG. 5. For example, while the baby is being fed(breastfeeding or bottle feeding), the baby may shift or wiggle her bodyand rub her head against the mother's arm or that of the caregiver,thereby causing stress on the baby's head. The head of a newborn is theheaviest part of her body, making it difficult for the baby to hold uphis/her head or keep it in balance—i.e., a newborn's head tends towobble back and forth. Further, certain breastfeeding positions, such asthe clutch or “football” hold requires the mother to hold/grip thebaby's head directly in her hand, sometimes using the lower part of thepalm and several of the fingers (FIG. 5). This may cause pressure andstress on a newborn's soft and developing head. As a result, many newmother are concerned that they may hurt their baby's head if they holdit too firmly, which is sometimes necessary to keep the baby's mouth andhead on target for the purpose of maintaining proper latch. Theinvention directly aids this process with allowing a better grip for themother to position the baby's head as well as maintaining the grip forthe duration of the breastfeeding session. The invention also helpssupport the baby's neck, and allows baby to stay in the variousbreastfeeding positions comfortably. Further, mothers often must nursetheir babies outside of the home environment. As such, it is notpractical for them to carry with them various nursing support aids withthem, such as wedges, pillows, etc. As this invention is small andcompact, it is highly portable and assists the mother with breastfeedingsessions “on the go” in public places, and therefore supportsbreastfeeding both inside and outside the home environment.

Additionally, the infant head positioning device may be worn as supportto the baby's head while changing the baby's diaper and a soft surfaceis not available. For example, in an environment outside of the home,mothers often have to change their baby's diapers using any flatsurface, such as a table or a public bench, or plastic changing tablesfound in most public restrooms. In these situations, the baby's head mayhave to rest on a firm, hard surface, such as a table. Wearing theinfant head positioning device (FIG. 3) will alleviate pressure andstress against the back of the baby's head.

The device also helps to reduce reflux by elevating the infant's head.It also provides support in bottle-feeding, burping, and bathing theinfant, serving as a “head gripper” in these instances. In addition tothe positioning, the object serves to protect the fragile cervicalmuscles located in the back of the head.

1. An infant head positioning device to (1) facilitate babies to sleepon their backs while providing back head support in order to preventskull deformities, such positional plagiocephaly and musculartorticollis; (2) protect cervical muscles in car seats and strollers;facilitate breastfeeding or bottle feeding; (3) support refluxreduction; and (4) provide back head support whenever the baby is placedon any firm surfaces such as public changing tables. The inventioncomprises: a hat/cap member made of soft, flexible, adjustablematerials; and positioning pads that are placed in various positions inthe back and sides of the hat member to redistribute/alleviate thepressure on the back of the infant's head. The positioning inserts maybe made of various types of pressure relieving material formed invarious shapes and sizes with one or more openings/cut outs forventilation (such as oval, circular, rectangular, or square).
 2. Aninfant head positioning device of claim 1, wherein the positioninginserts are placed on the outside or inside of the device, secured bytwo strips that attached onto the hat member.
 3. An infant headpositioning device of claim 1, wherein the top of the hat is an aeratinggrid that allows for excess heat to dissipate.
 4. An infant headpositioning device of claim 1, wherein the hat member is adjustable tofit the infant's head through the use of velcro materials located on theside of the hat member.
 5. An infant head positioning device tofacilitate optimal latching during breastfeeding comprising: a hatmember made of soft, flexible, adjustable materials; and positioningpads that are placed in various positions in the back and sides of thehat member to facilitate control and support of the baby's head duringbreastfeeding. The positioning inserts may be made of various typespressure relieving material formed in various shapes and sizes with oneor more openings/cut outs for ventilation (such as oval, circular,rectangular, or square).
 6. An infant head positioning device of claim5, wherein the top of the hat is an open, aerating grid that allows forexcess heat to dissipate.